Chubarovite is an extremely rare sulfate mineral found primarily in the fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano in Russia. It typically forms thin, transparent tabular crystals associated with other complex fumarolic minerals in high-temperature volcanic vents.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Chubarovite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this chubarovite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch chubarovite with a known reference. Chubarovite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Chubarovite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Chubarovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, clusters.

Often confused with

Chubarovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Nabokoite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Chubarovite leaves white, Nabokoite leaves yellowish-green; luster reads vitreous on Chubarovite and submetallic on Nabokoite.

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Often found alongside chubarovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with chubarovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: KZn₄(SO₄)₂Cl(OH)₆·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.71 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Clusters
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Fumarolic Deposits
Typical price: $100-500 thumbnail size

Where rockhounds find chubarovite

Classic worldwide localities

Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in fumarolic deposits country — that is the host setting where chubarovite typically forms. If you start seeing klyuchevskite, nabokoite, alarsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chubarovite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is chubarovite found?+

Notable localities include Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

How much is chubarovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 thumbnail size. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like chubarovite?+

Chubarovite is most often confused with Klyuchevskite, Nabokoite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chubarovite?+

Chubarovite commonly co-occurs with Klyuchevskite, Nabokoite, Alarsite, Chlorothionite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chubarovite form in?+

Chubarovite typically forms in fumarolic deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chubarovite used for?+

Chubarovite is used in collector.

Find chubarovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.